Ministers accused of trying to 'fiddle' election laws

Ministers have been accused of seeking to "fiddle" the election laws by limiting the amount of spending on campaigns.

By Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent

8:12PM BST 19 Oct 2008

The move to impose a £11,000 cap on expenses once any candidate begins campaigning will debated on Monday by MPs as part of the Political Parties and Elections Bill.

Both the Conservatives and Labour privately admit the measure is designed to combat the "Ashcroft effect" - the large amounts of money pumped into marginal seats between elections by Lord Ashcroft, the billionaire Tory fundraiser.

At present, candidates may spend no more than £11,000 once an election is called.

The Conservatives say that moving the "trigger" to cover the start of campaigning by any candidate - even if this is months or years before an election is called - gives sitting MPs an advantage, and could help the Government hang on to power.

MPs would still be able to use their £40,000 communications allowance to contact constituents.